Javier Figueroa
Javier Figueroa was a 2016 Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Washington.[1][2]
Biography
Figueroa was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and grew up in Bay City, Texas. He moved to Pierce County, Washington, after serving for 12 years in the U.S. Army—Figueroa is a Vietnam War veteran. Figueroa is the mayor of University Place, Washington. He was previously a council member for the city, elected in 2009. He was the first naturalized citizen from Mexico to be elected in Washington. Outside of politics, Figueroa has 30 years of experience in real estate asset management.
He is the director of the board for the Tahoma Audubon Society and is also a member of the State Council on Aging. Figueroa has worked in state government in various capacities, including as an energy specialist for the Washington State Energy Office, and as a lands program manager for the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission.[2]
Figueroa is married with three sons, one daughter, and three grandsons.[2]
Military service
Figueroa spent 12 years in the U.S. Army and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was last stationed at Ft. Lewis in Pierce County, Wash., and has lived there since then.[2]
Elections
2016
Figueroa filed to run as a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Washington.[1] Four Democrats, including three state senators, four Republicans, two minor-party candidates, and one independent competed for the top two slots in the primary election to move onto the general election. Figueroa was defeated in the primary election by state Rep. Cyrus Habib (D) and radio host Marty McClendon (R).
The following candidates ran in the Washington primary for lieutenant governor.
| Washington primary for lieutenant governor, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Cyrus Habib |
22.26% | 294,641 | |
| Republican | Marty McClendon |
19.17% | 253,714 | |
| Democratic | Karen Fraser | 15.66% | 207,271 | |
| Democratic | Steve Hobbs | 15.29% | 202,427 | |
| Republican | Phillip Yin | 10.70% | 141,680 | |
| Democratic | Karen Wallace | 4.47% | 59,175 | |
| Republican | Javier Figueroa | 4.25% | 56,214 | |
| Republican | Bill Penor | 4.00% | 52,986 | |
| Libertarian | Paul Addis | 1.99% | 26,304 | |
| Independent | Daniel Davies | 1.25% | 16,491 | |
| Citizens Party | Mark Greene | 0.96% | 12,692 | |
| Total Votes | 1,323,595 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||||
Campaign statement
| “ | Javier Figueroa will use his 35 years of business experience to support economic development throughout Washington by implementing best practices in business incubation because for every public dollar spend on incubators, the community's return-on-investment is nearly $30. This is especially important for veterans, like Figueroa, as well as well as new college graduates and members of traditionally disenfranchised communities who simply want an opportunity to pursue the American dream.
Figueroa believes economic growth must be balanced with its environmental impact. He will use his expertise in climate change and energy sustainability to preserve the natural resources that are so important to the people of Washington. As a naturalized citizen, Figueroa will advocate for quality education for all children because he knows personally of its transformative powers. He will continues to push for stronger elder abuse protections as he has done while serving on Governor Inslee's State Council on Aging. As a business arbitrator for 21 years, Figueroa brings an important skill set to the Lt. Governor's office. He will bridge different political viewpoints to keep everyone moving forward. He believes this is what is needed from government today-less gridlock and more progress to address the needs of all Washingtonians.[3][4] |
” |
Campaign finance
| Javier Figueroa Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
| To date | August 1, 2016 | $0 | $47,213.77 | $(42,587.65) | $ | ||||
| Running totals | |||||||||
| $47,213.77 | $(42,587.65) | ||||||||
